Melani Blazer

Wish I had a little.
Only two weeks until I get to see my baby again. I can hardly wait, but the whole trip makes me nervous. It’s also been nearly a week since I’ve heard from her, so that doesn’t help.

Writing is only happening with pen and paper, and it’s slow going. I’ve been dabbling with scene ideas for other stories while I try to figure out what’s gonna happen next with current WIP. I’m at a fill in scene and it’s gotta point things in a certain direction, but I refuse to force it. Then it reads like it was force and who likes that?

Not much else to say. I’m lurking around between writing, working and the other life-things that demand some attention. Ciao!

I’ve been even more absent the last week or so helping my daughter (and us!) prepare for her departure. She leaves for basic training, Army Reserve, tomorrow.

I’m still shaking my head, wondering how the hell time went so fast. If you’re inclined, say a prayer for her safety and success. I’m sure I’ll update when I’ve heard from her, and of course, when she comes home end of August.

I figured I’ll dive deep into writing to keep my mind off the fact she’s gone. An empty house will take some getting used to. The hardest part won’t be that she’s gone, but that she’s not simply a phone call away.

I’ll try to post a pic of her in uniform when I get one.

Last night the daughter had a band concert. School is 20 minutes from our house. On the way back, I was thinking about where I was in my current editing of WIP and also another I’d semi-started on a panstering level–meaning I had a beginning, but only the shadow of a plot and no middle or end. The idea for that book is terribly cliche and way over done right now anyway, so I doubt I’ll do anything other than recycle personalities for something else.

Anyway, came up with a pretty cool idea that I felt was rather novel. Doesn’t mean it is, I’m certainly not the best read creature in town, but it was something different plot-wise and I spent the boring drive (Tues night at 9:30–No one is out!) thinking about it. Had so much figured out. I stopped at a stop light and grabbed a post it note from my purse and jotted down two sentences.

*cries* it wasn’t enough. It’s gone! The whole thing is….missing from my brain! The sentences covered the concept, but in the daylight it evokes a “so what?” reaction. Was I simply over-tired and in mental shut down from high school band songs, rather good chocolate chip cookies and sherbert punch? Or did I really lose a good thing? I doubt I’ll remember.

Eh, at least I am still getting ideas. When that well dries up, I’ll cry. Word to wise–be specific in your notes. If I’d have just taken 10 minutes before I went to bed and spelled things out, I’d be searching for another blog topic.
Or simply eating my lunch instead of crumbing up the keyboard.

I can’t honestly say I get it. I’ve been to a number of people’s twitter.com/*username* in the past week or so, trying to understand, but…I come back with… “So?”

But really, first there were yahoo groups (at least first for me) or similar message board type sites. About the same time came forums, which were a little different, as far as oragnizing posts into specific conversations. IM an chat features have always been around and probably my most used form of communication. Blogs? Meh. I can’t keep up on my own. I feel lost for things to say, and know usually forcing a topic means it’s as boring to me as it will be to the rest of the earth who manage to stumble upon it. I do like reading other’s blogs, because I feel like I haven’t TOTALLY lost touch with the world and can gain some details about this publishing business and books and my friend’s lives. Myspace? I have one, it’s as bad as blogging, but a little less…lonely. Facebook? seems redundant to Myspace-why bother. But twitter? It boggles.

I guess my schedules does it for me. It’s why I gave up on yahoo groups. I *might* be able to glance at a few things in the morning before work, but never possibly catch up. Then 8-9 hours later I maybe can get online, maybe not. Even if I did comment to something, it’s likely hours late, or any responses back to me were hours ago and the subject dropped. I really don’t see twitter as anything more than a world wide yahoo group of messages, all mixed up and tied to different responses and answers and conversations. I can’t see it working for me. Plus, my cell phone is used as a cell phone. I call people, people call me. I’m neither need or want to be tied to some electronic device. I’ve got books to write, dammit.

And honestly, this blog post was really little more than an excuse to put off starting revisions on a book. But with an editor interested, I suppose that’s way more important than blogging, twittering or…anything else, yes?

I’m loving that spring is creeping in and despite the chilly air, green is starting to become the color of outside once again. Of course, that also means our time with baby Thunder the squirrel will be ending. He’s full grown, but with the cooler night temps (still in 30’s) and no winter coat, I’ve been reluctant to set him free just yet. This week we’ll definitely take his cage outside more and more, and hopefully within the next week or so, I’ll have the guts to open the door and let him explore the surroundings. We’l have to leave cage outside with his “house” accessible if he doesn’t voluntarily come back. It’s definitely a bittersweet prospect.

The cat thing, well, Tornado’s here beside me and he wanted to be mentioned. S got a “cat encyclopedia” recently. Although we’d suspected for a while that Tornado and his brother Hurricane are part Maine Coon, the information in the book convinced us. Not only do the exterior features, especially size, ring true, the personality and abilities are spot on.

And on polar opposite of my 30lb not-fat-cat is my mother in laws new little puppy. All three, yes THREE pounds of her. She’s reputed to be half Yorkie, half Schnauzer and cute as a button. My cats could eat her alive, if they could catch the spirited little thing. She’s definitely an “Aww” sort of creature.

And finally, had fun watching Barrett-Jackson car auction–and having my husband enjoy himself working on his Chevelle in the garage. He tolerates cold better than I do, but soon we’ll both be out there, enjoying the car shows.

I’ve only got about 10 pages left to type in. Heading out to get it done. Ciao!

Doesn’t feel like nearly ten o’clock. But I’m sure when that alarm beeps at 5:15am it won’t feel like that either. Time changes always mess with my system. I was typing away so well too.

I had been working on a rewrite of a story I’d written several years ago. One with a story line dear to me, but badly needs work. I got to a point where I realized I wasn’t helping it by simply “fixing” the story telling. I needed to reroute the direction the story itself was going. It was more than I could focus on at the moment, so I’ve shifted gears.

Some months ago I finished my NASCAR themed book that features some of the characters you may have met if you read TROPHY GIRL. I had handwritten about 75 loose-leaf pages which I never had gotten typed in. Now that were several Sundays into this racing season, the bug has hit and I’m revisiting this story by typing (and editing, slightly) to get it “done” for real. It fits well with all the drama that’s affecting my creative juices these last few days…weeks…months! It’s good to have projects like this.

I’m off to bed, even if it means laying there, feeling like I’m hour early. G’night!

The kitchen, that is. At least to the degree it’s fully functional. The ceiling needs a bit of paint touch up (oh, what new lights will show you) and then trim around the ceiling/wall edge and one piece of trim. Oh, and we need to put a railing or trim along the top of the cabinets to “finish” them, but who cares about all that. It’s DONE!

Not only that, I splurged and got a stainless coffee pot (and I don’t even drink coffee) and napkin holder/salt & pepper shaker set and papertowel holder. Those cool touches that seem to set it off so well. I could just wiggle I’m so excited!

Went to Barnes and Noble yesterday and scoped out the healthy section of books, but nothing popped out at me. I was bummed about it. Of course I have a few (ha!) in my TBR, but I’m feeling a little picky. Anyone have any suggestions? I really don’t know even what genre I’m interested in. I scoped out mystery, sci fi and romance. Not that I looked at every book–who could?

I’m excited NASCAR’s back. And since the race is getting ready to go green, I’m gonna head out and watch!

Tomorrow cometh the countertop. Then, with a few minor tweaks such as connecting pipes under the sink, my kitchen will once again be whole. I couldn’t be happier.

Went to the Chicago auto show last Saturday. The economy’s effects on the industry was apparent, despite the attempts at glitz and glamour and same ole… I noticed there were fewer cars per square yard and not as many “fun” concepts. In some cases, there was only one example of a particular model where I know in past years there’s been several–a base model, a souped up model and a standard average one. Regardless, we had fun, took some cool snapshots and spent the train ride home with talk of “if you could have one car from the show, which would you take?”

I was bad. I didn’t write for two whole days because I’ve been nose to book. Kathy Reichs is my guilty pleasure. I absolutely love forensic stuff and her books manage to have so many threads, enough history and truth to make it feel like you’re learning something–and I never can (or try) to figure it all out. I just like watching it unfold. While I can devour a romance in a few hours, it takes me much longer to get through an equally thick KR book. I suppose it’s because I’m really trying not to miss anything. I get my money out of those books. ;)

But then I had a weird, fractured sort of dream last night with a few of those really “real” sensations–where I’m not just witnessing, I’m there, and wake up with what feel more like real memories than just recollections of a dream. In the past, those have worked as offshoots for stories, so I’m eager to see what I can do with this one. I have no idea who the characters were in this one…for real or as in future book characters. I’m letting it bounce around in my head for a bit before I start trying to stretch it beyond the bit I ‘know’.

That’s it for me. Lunch is over and I’m back to work. Happy reading, ya’ll!

I had such big plans for the weekend. Wanted to carve pumpkins and rework the last chapter or so of the book I’m writing. I know exactly where things went awry and am really eager to finish it.

Yesterday we went to the zoo. Last year we vowed to visit more often, but we’re not getting there like we wanted to. The tigers were inspriting, as usual. The lioness was cranky, greeting visitors with a snarl and growl. The reindeer looks like it’s gearing up for Christmas and the kangaroos were shivering and huddled in a little patch of sunlight. I feel ya, boys, I feel ya. We got to see the baby bobcats for the first time, and actually got daddy bobcat to “talk” to us. Cranky feller.

It’s getting cold. Some areas have brilliant fall foliage, others are still mostly green with some yellow tinges. I’m eager to get some nice pics, but haven’t gotten where I need to be at the right time. The just before sunset lighting looks to be the best, and maybe this week I can find an ideal spot for some shots.

I’m off to work, just clearing out the cobwebs… Though, I should leave them, considering it’s damn near Halloween.

How the hell did THAT happen?

I really should be getting back to work, but I’m going to stretch my lunch an extra moment here and reflect on something that’s been on my mind all day.

My husband leaves for work about an hour and a half before I do. I often steal an extra twenty minutes of sleep or so after he leaves the house (and then run around like a mad-woman trying to make sure everyone has food, water, the windows are closed the curling iron closed and I have finished dressing, applying makeup and have found my keys….)

Anyway, this morning my baby squirrels were up and their food bowls empty, so I decided to feed them prior to my shower so they could eat, then maybe be less hyper when I let them out to “visit” with me before I leave. If I hadn’t done that first, I wouldn’t have heard the phone. My husband.

He called to tell me what a beautiful morning it was. He said he was outside and it was truly beautiful. He said “Mother Nature woke up and turned on the light”. There was dew on the grass, the last of fog burning off and the sun just coming up. Oh, and he said his eagles were there.

Lately there’s been several bald eagles flying near the plant where he works, and we suspect they’re nesting in the wooded area nearby. As an animal lover, he has expressed several times how majestic and powerful those huge birds are as they circle overhead, occasionally coming in close for a look.

If you’ve read my blog recently you’ll know we’ve been up to our eye sockets in projects, and not all of them planned. Seems we rarely have a chance to sit down and relax. Something needs to be done somewhere. We’ve both been really edgy and stressed.

So, to hear him STOP stressing, stop worrying and see the beauty around him, and then have the presence to call and share with me, well, it made my day.

Thanks, babe.